What Is Wealth Management
9 May, 2024
You or your forefathers must have spent years acquiring substantial wealth. Now, the management of this wealth - measured in terms of money and possessions - becomes crucial for its growth and preservation. This is where wealth management comes to the fore. It involves the systematic evaluation and decision-making concerning your wealth so that you can achieve your financial goals.
Equipped with various certifications, a wealth manager is a seasoned professional offering financial guidance and services to support your wealth management objectives. These services may range from investment advisory and retirement planning to tax and estate planning.
Understanding what is wealth management and the role of wealth managers is essential to determining whether you need them or not.
What is wealth management in India?
At its core, wealth management means the thorough management of an individual’s or entity’s finances. It encompasses multiple strategies and techniques designed to aid individuals or entities in the augmentation, safeguarding, and strategic distribution of their wealth. Some common wealth management strategies include financial planning, investment management, tax optimisation, and risk mitigation.
Role of wealth managers
Wealth managers offer a multitude of services related to wealth management. Some of the common responsibilities of a wealth manager include:
Financial planning
A wealth manager can assist you in formulating a financial plan encompassing saving, investing, and spending objectives. Additionally, they can aid in planning for significant life events such as retirement, saving for education, and other major milestones. These plans are adaptable and can be periodically reassessed to align with changes in your current circumstances and financial goals.Investment management
A wealth manager collaborates with you to create a customised investment strategy aligned with your financial goals and risk tolerance. They generally hold a license as an investment advisor and, thus, assume the responsibility of selecting and overseeing investments on your behalf, typically in exchange for an annual fee.
Wealth managers tend to create diversified investment portfolios that strike a balance between risk and return. By investing across different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities, they aim to minimise the impact of market volatility on your overall investment portfolio, ensuring stable and sustained long-term returns.
Tax planning
Wealth managers utilise tax-efficient strategies to minimise your tax liabilities. These include leveraging tax-sheltered accounts, optimising capital gains, and exploring tax-free investment options. By maximising after-tax returns, they ensure you can retain more wealth, thereby enhancing your overall financial growth.
Estate planning
A wealth manager can also aid you in structuring your estates efficiently, encompassing tasks such as drafting wills, establishing trusts, and implementing gifting strategies. These efforts are geared towards minimising estate taxes and facilitating a smooth wealth transfer to future generations.Risk mitigation
Effective wealth management incorporates robust risk management strategies. A wealth manager evaluates your risk tolerance capability and formulates portfolios that align with your comfort levels. Additionally, they leverage insurance products, such as life, health, and property insurance, to safeguard your assets against unforeseen events, ensuring optimum financial security even during challenging times.Periodic assessment and adjustments
Wealth managers routinely review your investment portfolios and financial plans. They make necessary adjustments to align with market dynamics and changes in your current circumstances and financial goals.
Do you need wealth management services?
The answer to this question depends on several factors, including your financial situation, goals, as well as financial expertise. If you have a clear understanding of your financial goals and feel confident in selecting products and strategies that can foster wealth protection and growth, you may not require wealth management services.
However, if you encounter questions beyond your expertise or have specific needs that could benefit from the insights of a specialist, you can take the help of a wealth manager. They can help you make well-informed decisions about your finances and offer guidance throughout the process.
You can seek the services of a private wealth manager or contact a wealth management firm to avail of the required services. Several firms these days even provide online wealth management services for nominal fees.
The bottom line
Wealth management involves a comprehensive and personalised approach to financial well-being, catering to the unique requirements of high-net-worth individuals and firms. While not everyone may require these services, those facing complex financial situations or seeking expert guidance in managing their wealth may find value in enlisting the expertise of a wealth manager.
HDFC Bank provides a variety of wealth management solutions and products, including insurance, mutual funds, and sovereign gold bonds, enabling you to grow your wealth systematically. Click to know more. Know more about high networth banking in India.
*Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances. You are recommended to obtain specific professional advice from before you take any/refrain from any action. Investments are subject to changes in tax laws. Please contact a professional consultant for an exact calculation of your liabilities.